Illinois state senator has a carry permit – Tried to get on plane with gun
Of course, if you are a regular Joe or Jane in Illinois, you are completely forbidden from carrying a concealed weapon anywhere in the state. There does not even seem to be a process to apply for one … unless you’re a state senator who happens to be running for Jesse Jackson Jr’s (D-Ill.) vacant US House seat and moonlights as a “security guard.”
Stick with me to the end here … I’ve dug a lot deeper than anyone else on this and I’ve got a few questions. From CBS Chicago.
An Illinois State Senator running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress was arrested Wednesday morning after he allegedly tried to bring a gun onto a plane at O’Hare International Airport.
Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) was charged with a felony count of attempting to board an aircraft with a weapon, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. The charge carries a penalty of 1 to 3 years in jail.
A police spokeswoman said Trotter is licensed to carry a weapon and has a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card.
I really could not give a crap he forgot the loaded weapon in the bag. That is full of stupid and people do this every day, but I want to know why Trotter has a carry permit in a state that does not issue any type of Permit/License to carry a firearm concealed to law-abiding citizens.
I have a “conceal and carry” permit issued by another state. Is the permit recognized in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not recognize “conceal and carry” permits from any state. Both non-residents and residents are subject to Illinois’ law, restrictions, and penalties. For a list of other commonly asked questions on transporting firearms in Illinois, please refer to the Transport Your Firearm Legally brochure available on our website.
To be clear, when it comes to open or concealed carry, Illinois is a No Issue state. Same with the District of Columbia. In practice, Maryland, New Jersey and Hawaii are also No Issue states.
Of course, the state does have armed security guards who are not sworn law enforcement. Trotter says he works for Allpoint Security and Detective Inc. in Chicago. Supposedly he worked the “late shift” the night before. So it’s possible Trotter worked as a security guard the night before and inadvertently left his .25 semi-automatic in his carry-on garment bag. (Yeah, right…)
I have some questions…
Trotter earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science, and went on to earn a Masters in Health Administration and Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. From 2003 through 2010, Trotter was listed as a senior hospital administrator in his official state legislator bio. In his most recent bio for the current assembly, there is no job listed. Exactly what is his position at Allpoint?
Is Trotter a private detective with Allpoint? If so, did he complete the required (minimum) three years working for a private detective firm full-time before applying? Did he complete the required 20 hours of basic training? If he is a private security contractor, did he complete the required (minimum) three years working as a manager full-time for a private security firm? Has he shown proof of general liability insurance?
May we please see Allpoint’s application for a Firearms Control Card for Trotter, and proof – as required – that he completed the mandatory 40-hour firearm training course within two years of the application or proof of re-qualification within the last year?
There is strong speculation in and around Chicago that wealthy businessmen – and quite possibly politicians – invest in, or are clients of security firms like Allpoint. The firms then order up a Firearms Control Card for the investor/client and claim they are supervisors and allowed to carry in the state at all times. Can Trotter provide recent pay stubs from Allpoint?
This could be really fun if I had the time for a few freedom of information requests. I wonder if anyone in the Chicago news media will try to do any investigative journalism here. Everything might be on the up-and-up, but a 62 year-old former senior hospital administrator state senator with a Masters degree moonlighting as a security guard? Oh come on…
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Are you insinuating there is more than one class of citizenship in the secure and peaceful liberal paradise that is Chicago?? How could that be?
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Steve, something is not just what it seems. This is pure stupid.? If you or I got caught trying to get onto an airplane with a firearm . . . we’d never be seen again. This guy get’s out on bail — $25, 000. We might make bail for half-a-million dollars or more. Given the level of corruption in Illinois, I’m surprised he even got charged.
But, he is after Jesse Jackson, Jr’s congressional seat. That could make him a lot of very powerful enemies. With this charge, he is effectively knocked out of the race, period.
And, there are some heavy-weight Democrats going after that vacancy. Maybe he’s just not black enough?
Would this be one of those “do as I say, not as I do” moments?
That is certainly the trick the well connected use to get carry permits. Ill makes Corrupticut look good. But a .25 for a? security guard could barely keep pigeons off Lincoln’s statue as he hangs his head in shame.